Delta climbed even higher among the world’s top 20 operators in terms of scheduled flights, ranking No. 6 among what OAG calls “mega airlines.” OAG also noted Delta’s low cancellation rate of just 0.01% of all flights, compared with the 0.69% industry average, in its report.
Delta is once again being recognized for its penchant for punctuality.
On the heels of Cirium's announcement that Delta was North America's most on-time airline – in addition to being the most punctual North American airline in Cirium's network and mainline categories – OAG Aviation Worldwide announced Delta was also No. 1 in its rankings. Delta also was the only U.S. carrier to crack the top 20 globally.
Delta climbed even higher among the world’s top 20 operators in terms of scheduled flights, ranking No. 6 among what OAG calls “mega airlines.” OAG also noted Delta’s low cancellation rate of just 0.01% of all flights, compared with the 0.69% industry average, in its report.
Delta has consistently placed a focus on providing on-time performance, a foundational expectation of its customers. The mantra: “safe, clean and on time with bags” is a common refrain throughout Delta’s operation – unifying all its people behind a common objective.
Nowhere was this commitment more evident than the waning days of 2022. All domestic carriers faced unprecedented impacts from the week-long winter event that blanketed most of the continental U.S. in snow and/or sub-freezing temperatures in late December, but Delta recovered quickly thanks to advanced planning to ensure station and crew stability.
Before the storm even hit, Delta took proactive steps to give customers advance notice. Operational disruptions lasted only a few days, with the airline resuming its industry-leading performance by Dec. 28. Delta’s planning experts applied lessons learned from previous events, and that coupled with upgraded technology allowed the airline to minimize customer impact.
Airport take-off slots to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Photo by Skyler Smith on Unsplash
Airport slots usage ratio for summer 2023 will return to 80:20, meaning airlines will need to use their take-off slots 80% of the time in order to keep them
Return to 2019 rules will still retain some flexibility, including a justified non-use provision to prevent so-called ‘ghost flights’
Air travel is recovering following the pandemic, with government continuing to support a return to business as usual
. The UK government has today, 31 January 2023, laid regulations before Parliament that brings airports slots rules for the upcoming summer season back in line with pre-pandemic levels, while retaining certain flexibilities to support the aviation industry’s recovery.
From 26 March 2023, airlines will once again need to use their slots 80% of the time in order to keep them – the ratio in place before passenger numbers dropped as a result of the pandemic. It’s a vote of confidence in the aviation industry as demand for international travel returns – with passenger numbers at UK airports reaching 85% of equivalent 2019 levels by October 2022.
The government remains focused on reducing disruption and ensuring a positive passenger experience for those taking a well-earned break this summer. As part of that, airlines will be able to hand back up to 5% of their slots before the start of the season, to help plan realistic schedules and avoid last-minute cancellations.
The Transport Secretary will announce the new measures during his keynote speech at the Airport Operators’ Association’s (AOA) annual conference today, where he is expected to say:
"Today, I can confirm that slots rules will return to normal this summer. But we’re maintaining the safety net introduced during covid…and airlines can hand back 5% of slots to help minimise last minute cancellations.
Now we’re able to start a new, more optimistic, conversation about the future. About an industry no longer constrained by outdated practices, but modernising its infrastructure and operations. No longer the poster child for environmental decline, but committed to a future of sustainable flight. And no longer at risk of becoming a diversity desert, but attracting talent from all backgrounds.
These are just some of the areas where aviation has a golden opportunity to move from recovery to renewal. And I look forward to working with all of you to make that happen."
Airlines will also continue to benefit from increased flexibility over when they are justified not to use their slots, for example, where either end of a route is affected by COVID-19 restrictions. This will reduce the risk of environmentally damaging so-called “ghost flights” – empty planes flying just to make the slots usage ratio.
A bit like parking spaces for planes, slots are used to manage capacity at the busiest airports. A slot gives permission for an airline to use the full range of airport infrastructure (runway, terminal and gates, for instance) necessary to operate an air service at an airport on a specific date and time.
To retain their slots for the next equivalent season, airlines must use their slots a certain number of times – but during the pandemic the usage ratio was reduced to provide relief to airlines as they saw a drop in demand as result of COVID-19 restrictions. Without these alleviations, there would have been a rise in ‘ghost flights’.
The decision follows a period of consultation with the sector on how the government can best support its recovery while ensuring slots get used where demand allows.
Airbus launches European Defence Fund R&D projects
Airbus has launched two defence research and development projects that it is coordinating as part of the 2021 European Defence Fund (EDF). In July 2022, the European Commission selected, among others, eight collaborative projects that Airbus is part of, covering different innovative technology areas. The EDF promotes cooperation among European companies and research institutes of different sizes and geographical origin in the EU, strengthening the resiliency and strategic autonomy of Europe.
Among the 61 collaborative defence R&T and R&D projects that were selected and funded with €1.2 billion, Airbus Defence and Space is coordinating the European Defence Operational Collaborative Cloud (EDOCC) project, while Airbus Helicopters is coordinating the EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT). The contracts for these projects were signed in December 2022.
EDOCC will create a virtual platform to increase the interoperability, efficiency and resiliency of military operations, which will strengthen collaborative services on the battlefield. The project will study, design and conceptually validate the virtual platform and develop the first version of a services catalogue while identifying appropriate standards and technologies for high performance and interoperability.
ENGRT will focus on analyzing and understanding the needs of European armed forces for rotorcraft operations beyond 2030. The project's partners will study military rotorcraft concept of operations and define key technologies needed for future military rotorcraft. Alternative rotorcraft concepts and architectures will be explored. This project will pave the way for the next generation of military rotorcraft in Europe.
AerCap, the aircraft leasing giant has announced it has taken delivery of its 50th 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF). The aircraft conversion was completed at COOPESA, a leading MRO provider with expertise in aircraft modifications and conversions. The aircraft was redelivered to GOL Linhas Aéreas, who will operate the aircraft on behalf of a Latin-American e-commerce company, as part of the growth strategy and logistics solution of GOLLOG, Gol's logistics business unit.
In 2016, AerCap Cargo was the launch customer of the Boeing 737-800BCF and took delivery of its first aircraft in April 2018.
"We are delighted to celebrate this milestone delivery with our partners at Boeing and our longstanding customer, GOL. Since the program launched in 2016, we have seen unprecedented demand for express air cargo from e-commerce retail businesses," said Rich Greener, the Head of AerCap Cargo. "Today, the 737-800BCF is one of the most in-demand narrowbody freighter aircraft in the industry, thanks to its versatility and reliability, making it the perfect choice for express air cargo and e-commerce networks."
Bessie Coleman Barbie inspires youth to look to the skies
American Airlines and Barbie® partnered together to honour the legacy of Bessie Coleman, the first Black and Native American woman to earn a pilot's license in 1921. To celebrate her birthday, customers flying Flight AA771 from Dallas to New York received the newly released Barbie® Inspiring Women™ Series Bessie Coleman doll.
American continued to inspire the next generation of aviators by hosting a special program for aviation students at the Ronald E. McNair public school 5 in Brooklyn, New York — a place designed to inspire youth to follow and build upon Bessie Coleman’s rich legacy.
Diversity in aviation is important, and its key to hiring the next generation of future aviators. Read more stories about our diverse workforce at aa.com/beinspired.
Singapore Airlines has launched a new advertising campaign that artistically focuses on the service the renowned carrier has offered for years.
If you've ever wondered what contributes to Singapore Airlines cabin crew’s world-class service?
It’s their interactions with various local cultures around the world, creating diverse experiences that build a unique combination of attributes such as empathy, confidence and passion.
Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Executive Vice President of Commercial, Singapore Airlines, said: “At Singapore Airlines, service excellence is deeply ingrained in our DNA, and our customers are at the heart of everything we do. This campaign highlights our unwavering commitment to delivering a world-class travel experience, no matter the duration of the journey. Our award-winning cabin crew are central to this promise, with their rich and diverse experiences, as well as their dedication to customer service, having a positive impact on everyone around them.”
Directed by filmmaker Liz Murphy, the uplifting video was filmed in Singapore, Auckland in New Zealand, Barcelona in Spain, Mumbai in India, and Shanghai in China. The Airline conducted in-depth research to measure its global brand perception and used the findings to create a campaign that aims to resonate with customers around the world.
"Singapore Airlines has been at the forefront of passenger service for decades that it is sometimes easy to forget just how good the service is if you haven't flown with them for a while, its just sort of expected - it goes with the name - Singapore Airlines = great service. I remember a few years ago I took a flight from Cairns to Singapore and then another on to London after a brief stopover with Singapore Airlines and the service, even in economy was far superior to British Airways Club World. The crew were so attentive and actually seemed to care about the passenger rather than performing a 'service'." Jason Shaw.
The construction of a new departure terminal at Vilnius Airport has started: a project of strategic importance for Lithuanian aviation
On 31 January, during an official ceremony, the construction of Vilnius Airport's new departure terminal was announced. The large-scale project is said to last two years. The first travellers will be able to use the new terminal in early 2025.
According to the representatives of Lithuanian Airports, the main purpose of the new departure terminal project is to increase the capacity to handle a larger number of passengers, as well as to introduce innovations in the new terminal that will help to make the travellers' experience even smoother and to ensure greater efficiency in airport operations. The 14,400 square metre terminal will increase the total area of Vilnius Airport's passenger terminals by a third and double the passenger throughput to 2,400 passengers per hour.
“The main Lithuanian airport must be convenient for passengers, meet international standards and perform its functions properly. The new terminal at Vilnius Airport will make a significant contribution to the development of the aviation sector, opening up new capacity opportunities. As passenger traffic at the airport grows, it is important to ensure comfortable service conditions that meet modern standards,” said Minister of Transport and Communications Marius Skuodis.
Alongside the construction of the new terminal, the transport access in front of Vilnius Airport will also be transformed: renewing of engineering infrastructure, resurfacing, installation of carports and the creation of a new, much more permeable transport scheme.
“We stand at the centre of an important change for aviation in Lithuania. The opportunities to handle more aircrafts, and more passengers, are directly linked to our future prospects to become leaders in the region, which means moving to the next level of quality and competing for a wider geography of flights across the country. This entire project is a series of developments - not just a construction project, but also a platform for innovation in airports, where we will finally be able to apply state-of-the-art technology to improve airport efficiency and passenger comfort. This is undoubtedly the most important project for all Lithuanian airports in the next few years, to which we are dedicating a lot of our internal resources,” comments Aurimas Stikliūnas, Interim CEO of Lithuanian Airports.
According to the CEO, the new terminal will essentially lay the groundwork for correcting the mistakes of Vilnius Airport's previous terminal expansions in the future - the previous terminals were expanded to the side of the airfield, not parallel to the entire airport area. The construction of this passenger terminal will be accompanied by the renovation and conversion of the old terminals, with expansion and modernisation planned in phases.
The building will have two floors, with a self-service check-in area on the ground floor, allowing passengers to check in their luggage at dedicated terminals. There will also be common public spaces, cafes and other commercial areas and airline offices, while the second floor will house the security screening areas as well as the departure and arrival gates for passengers from Schengen countries. The new building will have an A++ energy class and will be internationally “BREEAM Good” certified, demonstrating not only the innovative solutions used in the project, but also the sustainable approach to the construction process.
"We appreciate the opportunity to implement projects of importance to Lithuania. We are confident that our experience in the construction of complex structures, including our project for the construction of the VIP terminal at Vilnius Airport, will contribute significantly to the successful completion of the construction of the new terminal," says Almantas Čebanauskas, the head of the main contractor of the project, “Eikos Statyba”.
The new terminal will be built between the VIP terminal with conference centre and the old passenger terminal. The total value of the contract is EUR 41.5 million (excluding VAT).
Boeing donates more than £430,000 to UK charitable organisations for 2023
£430,000 in grants have been donated to 13 national and regional UK charities
Uplift in funds to assist charitable partners dealing with the cost of living crisis and mental health
Sustained focus on STEM-related programmes to inspire the next generation of aerospace leaders
Boeing has confirmed a charitable grants package of more than £430,000 for 13 non-profit organisations across the United Kingdom, funding charitable programmes for the 2023 calendar year.
“Anchored by our presence at key sites across the UK, Boeing is committed to innovating and investing in efforts that build, enhance and contribute to the communities where we are proud to live and work”, said Maria Laine, President for the UK, Ireland & the Nordic region. “We continue to offer our support during this particularly difficult time and thank our charity partners for the important service they continue to deliver up and down the country, all year round.”
The charitable grants package includes funding for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and skills development programmes designed to help students from all backgrounds achieve their full potential, and aimed at building a robust talent pipeline for the aerospace sector in the UK. Other priority areas include supporting homelessness and mental health, along with assisting military families of serving personnel, and veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life.
All Boeing charity partners have seen increased demand for their support with the cost of living crisis compounding existing challenges that continue to be felt following the Covid-19 pandemic, and have adapted their services in response.
LunaGroup Charter, the commercial charter division of Luna Aviation Group, exceed $15m in annual revenue in its second year of operation, 2022, organising 311 passenger flights representing 3 times 2021's business activity. "We are delighted to see our group charter activity reaching 10% of our global business volume under the direction of Rémi Aubin based in Paris," noted Eymeric Segard, Luna Aviation Group CEO.
"Considering the post-pandemic situation, the uncertainty in maintaining international events and a slow start of the year we are delighted by these numbers and growing our market share," states Rémi Aubin, LunaGroup Charter Sales Director. "We managed to help our clients at the beginning of the year by creating air bridges where the usual airlines stopped going due to the pandemic. From the second quarter onwards the activity picked up with MICE, international sport tournaments, cruises etc... the FIFA World Cup in Qatar also kept us very busy until the end of the year," he adds.
Chaotic summer activity
The second part of the year saw the rapid come back of air group travels after two years of the worst aviation crisis. This unprecedented traffic increase disrupted the supply chain from ground handling to air traffic controllers causing terrible client frustrations and challenges for our teams. "The market was not flying at its maximum capacity due to the shortage of labour. The charter demand was impossible to meet with the scheduled airlines being overwhelmed throughout the summer," notes Rémi.
IAG Cargo, the cargo division of International Airlines Group (IAG), announces its role as a sponsor at the 2023 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. IAG Cargo will sponsor The Infrastructure Award, celebrating the outstanding achievements of two women in infrastructure.
IAG Cargo is a proud sponsor at the 2023 everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards
IAG Cargo will sponsor The Infrastructure Award, awarded to two women demonstrating outstanding achievements within infrastructure
The awards are open to nominations until
6 February 2023
Launched in 2008, the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards aim to inspire more women to progress careers within a traditionally male-dominated industry. With women only accounting for 20% of the 1.7 million people working in transport and logistics, the awards seek to create role models that will inspire future female talent who may not see the industry as an option to them.
Historically, the awards have positively impacted careers with 63% of former winners saying it improved their personal and professional confidence.
Caroline Andrews, Chief People Officer at IAG Cargo said: “Our focus on inclusion and embracing equity, means we are committed to increasing visibility of female leaders across the industry. At IAG Cargo, our inclusive ethos encourages women of all ages to grow and develop their careers with us. We are making it our mission to ensure IAG Cargo continues to be a great place to work for everybody and it is for this reason we are proud to be a sponsor at the Transport & Logistics Awards, celebrating the women whose resilience and leadership has kept the country, in many cases the world, moving in persistently demanding times.”
Voting for nominations will remain open until 6 February 2023 and winners will be announced at an award ceremony in London on 28 June.
Boeing will present a live webcast of the ceremony marking the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas Air later today, January 31st at 16:00 eastern time, 13:00 pacific time, and 21:00 gmt.
Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump. The final aeroplane, a 747-8 Freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.
While the event is not open to the public, Boeing will make this live webcast available globally at this link.
Yearly update on the progress the CAA is making in its modernisation strategy.
The UK's Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport -Baroness Vere of Norbiton has made the following Ministerial Statement on Monday 30th January 2023.
The Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) refresh, published on 23 January 2023, sets out, through 9 elements, the ways and means of modernising airspace, focussing on the period until the end of 2040.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) must report to the Secretary of State annually on the delivery of the AMS, through an annual progress report. This report details the progress made by industry, as well as work the CAA have conducted against each of the AMS’s elements. For 2022, the progress report reports on the previous AMS’s 15 initiatives.
In total, 6 of the 15 initiatives are assessed as ‘requiring attention’, 2 are on track, 1 has been implemented and 6 initiatives have been assessed as having ‘major issues’. The department continues to work with the CAA to ensure greater progress is made in implementing the airspace modernisation programme. Ministers are giving the programme the urgent attention it requires and are committed to delivery of the AMS.
As part of the Delta-LATAM Joint Venture, LATAM Airlines Colombia will expand its international operation by launching new daily service between Bogota and Orlando on July 1.
New route offers more destinations that passengers can access between Colombia and the U.S.
LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch new non-stop service between Colombia’s capital Bogota and Orlando, Florida, on July 1, 2023. The new route is the latest addition after the approval of Delta and LATAM’s joint venture agreement in September 2022 and will offer customers new access between Colombia’s largest city and the popular Florida destination.
LATAM Airlines Colombia will launch new non-stop service between Colombia’s capital Bogota and Orlando, Florida, on July 1, 2023. The new route is the latest addition after the approval of Delta and LATAM’s joint venture agreement in September 2022 and will offer customers new access between Colombia’s largest city and the popular Florida destination. From Orlando, Delta offers 67 flights to 18 destinations, including Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle and New York. From Bogota, LATAM Colombia offers 166 daily flights to 17 destinations, allowing easy connections to cities like Medellin, Cali and Cartagena.
“Delta’s partnership with LATAM is meant to expand access and elevate the experience for customers travelling between North and South America. This exciting new route between Orlando and Bogota will provide customers with more access to the places they want to go,” said Alex Antilla, Delta Vice President for Latin America. “Through this new route, Delta and LATAM customers will enjoy better and more convenient travel thanks to our powerful route networks and award-winning service.”
"Despite the challenging context with which this year began, we continue to improve our international network with the incorporation of a new route of utmost importance for travellers in the country. Through the Joint Venture with Delta, we will improve our presence in the United States market, which continues to be one of the most important international destinations for Colombian passengers," said Santiago Álvarez, CEO of LATAM Airlines Colombia.
The route will depart from Bogota at 10:15 a.m., arriving in Orlando at 3:33 p.m.. The flight from Orlando will depart at 4:57 p.m. and arrive in Bogota at 8:10 p.m. The 4-hour, 15-minute journey will operate with Airbus A320 aircraft, with a capacity for 174 passengers. "With this agreement, we will boost our presence in the North American market with the aim of becoming the best option for passengers from that region who wish to travel to Colombia and the other South American countries that are part of the agreement," added Álvarez.
Multi-mission Pegasus provides advanced capabilities for the joint force and allies
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $2.3 billion contract for the ninth production lot of 15 KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft, expanding its fleet of the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refueler. To date, 128 KC-46A Pegasus are on contract with the U.S. Air Force, with 68 delivered and operationally deployed worldwide.
“The combat-ready KC-46A is transforming the role of the tanker for the 21st century,” said James Burgess, vice president and KC-46 program manager. “We’re proud to work side-by-side with the Air Force ensuring the Pegasus provides unmatched capabilities and continues to evolve for the U.S. and its allies’ global mission needs.”
The KC-46A Pegasus delivers crucial fuel and data for the fleet, as well as cargo, personnel and aeromedical transportation for joint force rapid mobility, global reach and agile combat employment.
Last year, the U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command approved the KC-46A for global operations including combat deployment. The Pegasus continues to demonstrate its agile combat employment capabilities, recently completing a 42-hour endurance flight supporting a U.S. Air Force Bomber Task Force mission in the Indo-Pacific region.
During 2022, KC-46A aircraft operating in a series of U.S. Air Force global employment exercises in the European theater, Indo-Pacific region and the Middle East performed at a greater than 95% mission capable rate, demonstrating the aircraft’s reliability and combat readiness.
Boeing builds KC-46A aircraft on the 767 production line in Everett, Wash., supported by a supplier network of about 37,000 American workers employed by more than 650 businesses throughout more than 40 U.S. states. With Boeing’s in-line production, the KC-46A is designed and built as a tanker from day one — not a post-production conversion — making the Pegasus uniquely suited to integrate advanced technology for fleet data connectivity and combat-ready defensive features, as well as new capabilities as the needs of the mission evolve.
Boeing is on contract for 138 KC-46A Pegasus tankers globally. Boeing has delivered two of six KC-46A tankers to the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and is on contract for four KC-46A tankers for the Israel Air Force. The expanding global fleet creates commonality and interoperability efficiencies and mission-readiness advantages for the U.S. Air Force and allies.
The U.S. budget airline Southwest is adding more flights and more ways for football fans to cheer on their favourite team in Phoenix during the big game next month.
On Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, Southwest will offer the following service:
From Philadelphia to Phoenix: 2 nonstop flights and 10 different itineraries.
From Kansas City to Phoenix: 2 additional nonstop flights, for a total of up to 6 nonstop options.
On Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, Southwest will offer the following service:
From Philadelphia to Phoenix: 2 nonstop flights and 10 different itineraries.
From Kansas City to Phoenix: 3 additional nonstop flights, for a total of up to 7 nonstop options.
On Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, Southwest will offer the following nonstop service:
From Philadelphia to Phoenix: 1 nonstop flights and 10 different itineraries.
Southwest also published additional flights to help fans travel back home after the championship trophy is awarded.
On Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, Southwest will offer the following service:
From Phoenix to Philadelphia: 2 nonstop flights and 10 different itineraries.
From Phoenixto Kansas City: 2 additional nonstop flights, for a total of up to 6 nonstop options.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, Southwest will offer the following service:
FromPhoenixtoKansas City: 2 additional nonstop flights, for a total of up to 6 nonstop options.
FromPhoenixtoPhiladelphia: 1 nonstop flight and 10 different itineraries.
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